WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- The 445th Airlift Wing hosted Dayton-area civic leaders in conjunction with the 433rd Airlift Wing at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, Oct. 18-19 at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio and San Antonio.
The 445th flew 22 local community leaders from Ohio to Texas on board a 445th AW C-17 Globemaster III. On the first day of the tour, Col. Raymond Smith Jr., 445th AW commander, and Col. Philip Warlick, 655th Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Wing commander, briefed attendees of their respective wing missions before takeoff.
While in the air, the community leaders witnessed firsthand 445th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron life-saving techniques for the nation’s wounded warriors while experiencing the capabilities of an Air Force Reserve airframe.
Once in San Antonio, the day included a demonstration by the 802nd Security Forces Squadron military working dogs, a tour of the 733rd Training Squadron simulators and virtual reality lab and concluded with a reception at the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce.The second day included attending a Basic Military Training graduation, a tour of the Medical and Education Training Campus at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston and a tour of the 433rd AW’s C-5 Galaxy aircraft before departure back to Ohio.
The purpose of the civic leader tour was to facilitate public awareness of the 445th AW, Air Force Reserve Command and Air Force missions, and roles from both the Reserve and active-duty perspectives while providing a clearer understanding of the AFRC and Air Force roles in the nation’s defense.